Love Thy Neighbor – With No Exceptions

News – both local and national – is too often filled with reports of intolerance, hate, and violence. The recent tragedy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is no exception. The mass shooting that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue resulted in the death of 11 Jews and injuries to many more. The physical and emotional scars left behind in Pittsburgh will last a lifetime.

Countless other tragic incidents have taken place across our nation – and sadly, even within our own city. Bomb threats and drive-by shootings are becoming commonplace. Unarmed African American men are being targeted and assaulted by other citizens, and in some cases, by law enforcement. These awful, heart-breaking occurrences seem to be taking place with alarming regularity. Cleveland Neighborhood Progress mourns for the lives lost and for all those affected by these senseless acts.

In Cleveland and around the world, we cannot tolerate Anti-Semitic views. We cannot tolerate violence towards others. We cannot tolerate a mindset that values one human life above any other human life. We are all citizens of this planet and we are all neighbors. The image above succinctly captures the mindset that we all must strive for: “Love thy Neighbor (No Exceptions)”.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is dedicated to creating and sustaining vibrant neighborhoods of choice and opportunity in our city. We do that with a balanced focus on People and Place. As we push forward developing strong neighborhoods, we all must also succeed in establishing a community where all citizens exhibit a sincere respect for one another. Join us is denouncing the horrible violence that is taking place in Cleveland and across the United States. And please unite with us to foster strong communities where everyone is considered equal.